by J. S. Cooper
“Hey guys.” Elliott waved to all of us and he gave me a short smile as our eyes connected. My eyes narrowed as I looked at him and I turned away without acknowledging him.
“Ass.” I muttered under my breath.
“What?” Jake asked me curiously.
“Nothing.” I shook my head and looked back over to Clementine and Elliott. I felt my face growing heated as I watched him giving her a bouquet of flowers. “Really?” I mumbled under my breath, feeling angry. “What a suck up.” I muttered. Why was he bringing her flowers? He was really trying to play a strong hand. I watched as Clementine smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek after taking the flowers. She looked happy and pleased and I frowned at her expression. Was she really falling for his crap?
“You guys ready to play or are we going to stand around in the sun all day?” I shouted out and I saw Penelope turn towards me with a smug smile.
“We’re ready.” She gave me a look and then turned back towards Elliott.
“Clementine.” I called out to her. “Can we get this game going?”
“Yes, Rhett.” She stepped back from Elliott. “Let me go and put these flowers in a vase. I’ll be right back.”
“I’m going to get a drink.” I turned to Jake and followed Clementine into the house.
“Wait up.” I ran up behind Clementine.
“What’s up?” She turned to me with a small smile.
“Just wanted another drink before the game. I can’t wait to kick you guys asses.”
“Okay.” She nodded and turned away from me.
“Also, about earlier. It didn’t mean anything. I was just playing around.”
“It’s fine.” She mumbled and I saw her face flushing.
“I know I’m an ass.” I tried to joke about it. “I was just being goofy.”
“It’s fine, Rhett.” She sighed. “Hey Nanna, do you have any vases? Elliott got me these peonies.”
“Oh beautiful, of course Darling.” Nanna rushed over with a tall vase. “How thoughtful of him.” She bent down and sniffed them.
“Careful, Nanna, you don’t want a bee to sting you.” I muttered.
“Oh, Rhett.” She smiled at me gently, her eyes glinting. “They smell wonderful, darling.” She rubbed Clementine’s shoulder. “I’ll have to sit down and have a longer chat with him later.”
“Chat about what?” I frowned at her.
“His intentions with my granddaughter.” She replied promptly.
“Nanna, no.” Clemmie groaned and I could see her face going red again.
“Isn’t it a bit fast for that?” I walked to the fridge and opened it slowly, feeling myself growing agitated.
“It’s never too early to find out a man’s intentions.” Nanna’s voice was soft. “If he’s serious about you, it’s important for him to know that you have a family that is looking out for you.”
“Nanna, we just started dating.” Clemmie’s voice was weak. “Do not say anything to him.”
“Say anything to who?” Mr. O’Hara bellowed out as he and Mrs. O’Hara walked into the house with some shopping bags. “Are you and Rhett finally dating now?” He grinned as he dropped the bags onto the floor. “Here we go momma.” He kissed his mother on the cheek.
“Dad.” Clementine rolled her eyes. “You know Rhett and I are not dating.”
“What she said.” I gave Mr. O’Hara a small smile as he gave me a quick hug.
“Good to see you, Rhett. We haven’t seen you in a couple of weeks.” He patted me on the back and stepped back as Mrs. O’Hara gave me a hug.
“You must come to dinner next week, Rhett. We want to hear how finals went.”
“They were fine.” I made a face.
“And how is your dad?” She asked me softly and looked me over with an interested face.
“Same as usual.” I shrugged.
“You’re looking very handsome, Rhett.” Mrs. O’Hara ran her fingers along my shoulders. “Such a handsome man, you’ve grown up to be.”
“Surprised?” I said and laughed.
“I always knew you’d be a handsome man.” She shook her head and smiled at me sweetly. “Even when you were a troublesome little boy.”
“That we did.” Mr. O’Hara nodded. “We always worried about what was going to happen when you and Clemmie became teens. We thought we’d have to ban you from seeing each other.”
“Dad.” Clementine rolled her eyes and gave me a small smile.
“But we had nothing to be worried about.” Mrs. O’Hara patted her husband’s shoulder. “You two have always been so good. We almost forgot you were friends of the opposite sex.”
“Almost.” Her dad laughed. “I wasn’t about to let you guys have sleepovers once you hit puberty.”
“We still had sleepovers dad.” Clementine made a face.
“With the door open.” Her dad laughed. “And trust me, I didn’t want to let you have them.”
“We’ve been friends since we were little kids, dad.” Clementine rolled her eyes. “Nothing happened.”
“I know.” Mr. O’Hara grinned at me. “I thank God, that Rhett is a gentleman.”
“Thanks, Mr. O’Hara.” I smiled back at him.
“Though, I’m not sure why neither of you have dated?” He looked at us curiously. “Is one of you gay?”
“Dad!” Clementine exclaimed and Mrs. O’Hara rolled her eyes.
“Come on, Hank.” She grabbed her husband’s arm. “Let’s go and see Jake and the others, while momma finishes cooking.”
“What did I say?” He laughed as they walked out of the kitchen.
“Dad is too much.” Clementine shook her head and spoke to Nanna. “I hope he doesn’t say anything crazy to Elliott.” She bit her lower lip. “In fact, I think I better go outside and make sure he doesn’t ask when he’s going to propose or something crazy.” She hurried out of the kitchen and I watched her go, before looking at Nanna.
“What?” I frowned as I realized she’d been staring at me.
“I don’t normally like to get involved in other people’s business.” She stepped towards me and looked up into my eyes with a serious expression.
“What do you mean?” I stared back at her with a puzzled expression. What was going on here?
“You and Clementine have been best friends for a long time.” She said softly and handed me a plate of brownies.
“I thought we had to wait ‘til later to have a brownie?” I smiled at her as I grabbed one off of the plate.
“I’m going to let you have one now.” She smiled and sat at the table and patted the chair next to her.
“Thanks, Nanna.” I grinned and had a seat. “So what did you want to talk about?”
“Elliott seems like a nice boy.” She started and I frowned.
“He’s seems okay.” I shrugged and took a huge bite of the brownie.
“He really seems to like, Clementine.”
“I guess.” I muttered, unenthusiastically.
“Clementine is ready to grow up.” She spoke softly. “I’ve been waiting for this day to happen. It’s come slower than I thought it would, but I suppose in the circumstances it’s understandable.”
“What day? What’s slower than you thought?” I frowned confused.
“Clementine is a true romantic.” She nodded to herself. “She gets it from me. I’ve told her stories about me and Hank Sr and how he wooed me. He was my true love you know.”
“I know.” I nodded. Nanna’s husband had died five years previously, but I could still remember what a great guy he had been and how he’d doted on nanna.
“She’s been waiting for her Prince to come find her since she was a little kid.” She smiled. “She wants the fairytale love.”
“It doesn’t really exist though.” I mumbled and she shook her head at me.
“Oh, Rhett. Typical bitter man.”
“I’m not bitter.”
“You know that things will change between the two of you once she gets serious
with her young man.”
“You think she’ll get serious with Elliott?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” She smiled at me gently. “I don’t want to see you getting hurt, Rhett.”
“Why would I get hurt?” My eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to be with her. We’re just friends.”
“Things will be different between you, once they get serious.”
“We’ll always be best friends.”
“Yes, yes.” She sighed. “What I’m trying to say is. Sometimes we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone.”
“You think she’ll stop being friends with me?”
“You guys have a very special friendship.” She sighed. “I’ve never seen two people closer in my life. You both play very important roles in each other’s lives. I don’t think ya’ll realize just how important.” She reached out and took my hand. “Sometimes the things we run away from are the things we already have.”
“I’m not running anywhere, she’s the one that’s trying to find a boyfriend. I’m happy with our friendship. I don’t need a girlfriend.”
“Maybe because you get everything you need from a girlfriend from Clemmie already.” Her eyes softened as she stared at me with a loving glance.
“We don’t sleep together, Nanna.” I laughed.
“Sex while important is not the be all and end all of a relationship, Rhett.”
“It’s a lot of fun though.” I grinned and she shook her head.
“It’s not for me to ask if you’re attracted to Clementine and I don’t want to stick my nose in where it’s not wanted, but I don’t want you to lose someone that could be everything you never knew you wanted.” She paused. “Sometimes God makes two people that are perfect for each other in every way. It’s always a shame when they miss the signs.”
“I don’t know that God always gets everything right.” I gave her a weak smile and stood up. “I mean what’s love really? And what’s perfect? Maybe his plans don’t always go to plan? My mom loved my dad more than her own life. She always told me that. She also used to tell me that I meant more to her than the moon and sun combined. And where is she now?” I shrugged. “Sometimes God’s plans don’t always work out.”
“I think he got his plans for you perfectly right.” She whispered behind me as I walked out of the kitchen and towards the backyard. I wasn’t sure what she’d expected me to say. Did she really think Clementine and I were perfect for each other? I stopped at the back door and watched Clementine running to catch a ball and throwing it to Jake. She was laughing about something and her hair was flying everywhere. I stared at her for a few minutes and watched as she moved and started chatting to Penelope. My breath caught as I watched Elliott walking over to her and I saw him giving her a quick hug. My body tensed as I realized that I was in serious trouble of losing my best friend and I didn’t know what do to. I wasn’t what Clementine wanted. I didn’t believe in happily ever afters. I didn’t want a girlfriend. I didn’t believe in true love. And I didn’t know how she felt about me. Maybe she didn’t even like me like that. I could feel a headache coming on. I watched them talking and I felt loneliness creeping in. Elliott was already replacing my role in Clemmie’s life. Her family already seemed to like him and I knew that a boyfriend would have precedence over a friend. I’d be inched out of this family, just like I’d been inched out of my own. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent a few texts. “Want to grab dinner tomorrow?” I sent to a few different girls. I had to stop relying on Clemmie so much. I needed to keep going out. I needed to occupy my time with other women. I knew that if I was getting my needs met by them, I would stop thinking about being with Clemmie. I wouldn’t want to kiss her and I certainly wouldn’t fantasize about being her. I put my phone back in my pocket, plastered a big smile on my face and ran out into the yard.
“Who’s ready for a game?” I shouted exuberantly and flashed my million dollar smile as I made my way to the grass, ignoring the look I was getting from Clementine.
Chapter Seven
“We’re going to go to Outback.” I smiled at Jenny as we walked to my car. “I hope you like steak.”
“I’m a vegetarian.” She made a face as I opened the door for her.
“They’ve got salads.” I closed the door and walked around to the driver’s seat, feeling annoyed and thinking about Clementine going on another date with Elliott tonight. “Ready?”
“I guess so.” She sighed and played with her fingers.
“What’s wrong, Jenny?” I turned towards her and gave her my Rhett smile. “Aren’t you excited about our date tonight?”
“I just don’t think you care about my needs.” She pouted her lips.
“What needs?” I took a deep breath. I was not in the mood for another serious talk.
“I told you I like a guy to call me every day and to ask me out on a date, at least three days before we’re going to go out.” She gushed out. “You’ve never called me and you texted me last night for this date tonight.”
“I don’t see the problem.” I shrugged and started the car. It had been a mistake to text Jenny. The only reason why I’d asked her on the date was because I knew she was eager and Clementine had blown me off yet again. I was going to have to have words with Clemmie about letting Elliott take over her life. It was starting to interfere with my life.
“And I don’t eat meat.” She mumbled. “Why would you take me to Outback?”
“You can get salad anywhere.” I answered her, not bothering to hide my annoyance. “I can’t get steak at a salad bar.”
“We could have gone for seafood.” She mumbled back.
“I wanted steak.” I reached over and turned on the radio. I was starting to feel angry. Part of me wanted to drive Jenny back home and then call Clementine and argue with her. Maybe she’d even cancel her date. I just didn’t trust Elliott. I felt like he was bad news. He was taking over her life, trying to alienate her from her best friends. I was fuming by the time we reached the red light and I pulled out my phone.
“We need to talk when you finish your date.” I text her angrily. I waited for a response, but nothing came.
“The light’s green, Rhett.” Jenny touched my arm and I frowned at her.
“I’m going.” I revved the engine and slammed on the accelerator.
“You’re going too fast.” She squealed as I swung around a corner, but I ignored her. “Rhett, please slow down.”
“We’re here.” I snapped as we pulled into the Outback parking lot. I jumped out of the car and checked my phone. There was still no response from Clemmie.
“Hope you’re having fun.” I sent her another text and pushed the phone in my pocket. I looked around for Jenny and realized that she was still sitting in the car. “Girls.” I muttered to myself as I walked around to open the door for her. I watched as Jenny got out if the car, she was wearing a short black dress that exposed a lot of cleavage and a lot of leg. Her long blonde hair was hanging down her back and her big blue eyes were framed by luxurious black eyelashes. She gave me a hurt look as she stepped out and pouted her bright red lips again. I tried not to roll my eyes as I closed the doors. She was so obvious. I knew that even though I had put no thought or concern into the date, I could close the deal pretty easily. Maybe even in the back of the Mustang if I wanted. It would be easy as pie as I was pretty sure that Jenny was even easier than that.
“Ready?” I gave her a short smile, already ready to take her home. I had no interest in sex or a make out session with her. Her kisses had been pretty weak and wet the first time and I hadn’t really cared about getting a second date with her.
“I guess so.” She batted her eyelashes at me. “Though I’m feeling pretty cold.” She grabbed onto my arm. “Keep me warm, Rhett.” She cuddled up to me and pressed her body into my side. I didn’t respond as we walked into the restaurant, though I wasn’t my normal jubilant self.
“A table for two please.” I asked the hostess politely and gave her a
huge smile. “And your number.” I winked at her.
“Haha.” The redhead grinned back at me as we made eye contact. I felt Jenny drop my arm and stiffen next to me. I smiled to myself. This was the easiest trick I knew to let a girl know I wasn’t interested. Only the desperados stuck around for another date when I openly flirted with another girl in front of them. “It’ll be about ten minutes, is that okay?” The hostess continued as she played with her hair.
“That’s fine.” I nodded. “The names Rhett, by the way.”
“I’m Candy.” She grinned back at me.
“I love to suck on Candy.” I slowly licked my lips and watched as Candy blushed. Then I heard Jenny gasp and I turned to her with a frown. “You okay?” I asked in a barely caring voice.
“No, I’m not okay.” She glared at me. “You Sir, are a rude, un….”
“Hi, a table for two please.” I recognized Elliott’s voice right away and froze. I turned around slowly and saw Elliott and Clementine standing behind me. Clementine was dressed in a short skirt and tight top. My eyes narrowed as I took in her appearance. She looked sexy as hell and that made me even more annoyed.
“Clementine.” I said her name softly and I saw her eyes widen in surprise and happiness for a brief second as she smiled at me.
“Rhett.” She walked over and gave me a hug. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Date night.” I nodded towards Jenny and Clemmie gave her a small wave.
“Same here.” She grinned. “We’re so mature now. Going on date nights.”
“Uh huh.” I nodded, but didn’t feel as happy about it as she looked. “Hi, Elliott.” I nodded at the other guy as he gave me a small nod. “Why don’t we have a double-date?” I asked her quickly and then turned to Candy before Clementine could respond. “Hey, Candy, make that a table for four please.” I grinned. “We’re all going to sit together.”
“Sure.” Candy gave me a weak smile. I could tell she was put out that I seemed to be close to another girl.